CAF Reconsiders Four-Year Africa Cup Schedule

The Confederation of African Football is reviewing its decision to stage the Africa Cup of Nations every four years, with a possible return to a biennial tournament now under consideration.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe said the organization had discussed the competition’s future during a three-day strategy conference in Cape Verde. He indicated that no final reversal had been announced, but said all options were being examined.

Schedule under review

“We are looking at everything, including having the AFCON coming back every two years,” Motsepe said while discussing the decision to move the tournament to a four-year cycle from 2028.

CAF had previously announced that the competition would shift from its traditional two-year schedule to a four-year cycle. The change brought the Africa Cup into alignment with FIFA’s international calendar and drew criticism during the 2025 tournament in Morocco from those who said it placed outside interests ahead of African priorities.

Motsepe rejected suggestions that CAF had made the change under instructions from FIFA or UEFA. He described claims that the continental body was being directed by either organization as “nonsense, absolute rubbish.”

He also said his primary responsibility was to protect and advance Africa’s interests, adding that there were occasions when he had to take a firm position on issues affecting the continent.

2027 tournament remains on course

Despite the review of the longer-term schedule, Motsepe reaffirmed that the 2027 Africa Cup will be held as planned in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

“You have to believe in Africa. There will be problems, there will be failures, fine, but we will be there. That’s what Mandela taught us,” he said while restating the commitment to the three host countries.

Reports in French media had raised concerns about construction work for the 2027 tournament and suggested that some CAF members wanted the event moved. Those reports were not independently established in the source material, and Motsepe’s comments maintained that the tournament would proceed in the designated countries.

Support for FIFA president

Motsepe also reiterated that CAF’s 54-member body had unanimous support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Infantino has held the FIFA presidency for 10 years, according to the source material.

CAF has not set out when it will make a final decision on the Africa Cup schedule. For now, the organization is reconsidering the four-year format while keeping the 2027 edition on its planned course.